A TREASURED photo which has been in my family for decades lead me to standing on the terraces of James McGrory Park in Glasgow's Royston to watch St Roch's Juniors.

My great-grandfather James Barton played an important part in the East End club's history, and it is through wanting to know more about my family's past that I found myself cheering on the Candy as they took on Newmains United in a West of Scotland cup game.

My Who Do You Think You Are moment, however, left me with a new found love for the beautiful game as the passion of the supporters reminded me why football is an important part of our lives in the city of Glasgow.

"I have been supporting the Candy for forever," said David Drew, 67, from Stepps.

He continued: "They are my local team and I am loyal to them. I am here every home game.

"I played junior football as well and I grew up with the game. I just love to watch it week in and week out.

"St Roch's gives the community a sense of pride. It just brings the community up and it gives everyone a purpose coming down here, to cheer on the Candy."

His fellow supporter Jim Livingston, 67, from Carntyne has been supporting the Candy "for years and years and years".

He said: "It all started off for me when someone I worked with played for the Roch. I came up and watched it, and I thought it was smashing.

"So anytime Celtic are playing away, I am up here watching the Candy.

"You get 110 per cent from the boys which you don't always get in senior football."

"I love to hear the patter at junior football," beamed season ticket holder George McGowan, 58, from Cardonald.

He continued: "You are more involved in the game because it is closer and it is more exciting for that reason.

"If Celtic weren't where they are now it would be St Roch's. St Roch's could be in the Champions League with a wee twist of fate."

As I am watching the Candy dominate Newmains United - they won the game 6-0 - I get to experience that patter for myself.

A child was given into trouble by the referee for playing too close to the pitch lines, and the crowd bit back, "That's s***e, he's our sub."

A misplaced ball which ended up in a car sales room next door resulted in the chant, "Get a free baw when you buy a car."

Even when the frustrated Newmains United goalie let in another goal, the crowd did not let him off easy.

He slammed down his water bottle after the fifth goal passed his defence, and the supporters sang the Oasis' hit Don't Look Back in Anger.

It is that sort of humour that has always been part of football in Scotland but for some reason it feels magnified at a junior game.

Even the football WAGs stand in the terraces to support the men who play for the Candy.

"I have been watching the Roch for the past two seasons because my boyfriend Jordan Logan plays for the team," explained Ruth Whalley, 26, from Tollcross.

She continued: "Everyone is so friendly and I have made a lot of friends here.

"Whether you know their names or not, you see the same faces every week and you will say hello to people.

"Junior football has been going for years and my grandad was involved in it.

"It is something I have been around all my life. It is very important that people come out and support it because without it the clubs would not have the funds to continue."

Provanhill man Peter Flynn still stands in the terraces supporting the Roch at the age of 83.

The former player said: "I am the longest serving supporter that St Roch's have.

"It is in my blood to support St Roch's and I just love the game."

In the same way, I suppose it is in my blood to support the team which meant so much to my great grandad.

I am told by club historian Jim Friel that the players referred to my great-grandad as Billy.

He played alongside Celtic great Jimmy McGrory and was part of the St Roch's team who lifted the Scottish Junior Cup in 1922.

I first contacted the club's manager Andy Cameron as I had the picture of the winning team and he told me that a blown up version was on a wall in the pavilion.

I felt teary eyed when I first took in this tribute to that team and while the focus for many people will be on James McGrory, mine will always be towards my great grandad - and with good reason.

Mr Friel told me that my great grandad signed for the club as a centre forward, a position McGrory held at Celtic, during their first season as a junior club.

Mr Friel said: "His career at St Roch's ran parallel to the Celtic and Scotland legend Jimmy McGrory.

"However it was Barton who was the preferred choice as centre forward as there is no record of McGrory playing in this position at St Roch's.

"Barton was St Roch's leading scorer in his two seasons at Millburn Park, he scored 42 goals (1920-21) and 39 goals (1921-1922), 81 goals in total.

"On December 3, 1921, he scored seven goals in a third round North Eastern Cup tie v Parkhead Railway in a 9-1 victory at Millburn Park.

"This remained the club's individual scoring record until November 1956."

A photo which has remained in my family for years not only allowed me to unravel a history I was unaware of, but it also reinforced the importance of football in Glasgow's communities.

It brings people together and allows them to share the ups and downs, and it is for that reason football remains the beautiful games.